Non Chlorine
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 BioGuard OXYSHEEN Non Chlorine Pool Shock – 8 lb Container  US $43.99
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The Type of Swimming Pool Chlorine You Should Be Using
Swimming pool maintenance and keeping the water safe and clear is a task that faces all pool owners. If maintenance is lacking, the water can quickly become unsanitary, cloudy, uninviting and it is also potentially dangerous. Unsanitary pool water can lead to a variety of bacterial illnesses, respiratory and intestinal infections, diarrhea, ear infections and more.
Although maintaining pool water sanitation may seem daunting at first, it is actually easy once you know the basics. After understanding how pool chemicals work in water and following a few steps each week, pool owners will find it is not hard to maintain the health of the pool water.
What Chlorine Does
Before discussing how to administer chlorine, it will help to have a basic understanding of how it works in pool water. When chlorine dissolves in water it changes to form hypochlorous acid (HOCI) and hypochlorite ions (OCI). Hypochlorous acid is the primary active ingredient in pool water sanitation. When we test for Free Available Chlorine (FAC) this is what we are reading. We manage the FAC to ensure the pool water is safe to swim. Hypochlorous acid combines with any organic matter and/or bacteria and destroys them.
Once destroyed, the organic matter, bacteria, ammonia and nitrogen compounds combines with the chlorine, which causes the chlorine to become relatively inactive and ineffective. This inactive chlorine, changes to form chloramines, which builds up in the pool but does little to aid sanitation. Pool owners must regularly remove the build-up of chloramines. If are not removed through shocking (oxidation), chloramines prevent proper sanitation and become a primary cause of cloudy pool water.
Pool Water Shocking
Super chlorinating the pool water is a process commonly referred to as "shocking" the water. The build-up of chloramines are effectively removed by adding a large amount of chlorine, achieving a chlorine test level at least 5 to 10 parts per million (PPM). This super-chlorination will remove or oxidize the excess contaminants and chloramines.
Administering regular shock treatments is necessary in order to maintain basic sanitation levels. You should designate a particular day of the week to perform the shock treatment so that it becomes a part of your regular routine.
How Much Chlorine for Your Swimming Pool
Since pool chlorine is available in different strengths, the type of chlorine you choose will affect the amount required. Chlorine brands try to distinguish themselves by touting certain advantages of their product over their competitors' products, but the truth is that most chlorine for swimming pools is equally effective. However, your personal preferences and pool type might lead you to choosing one type of pool chlorine above another. Here is a look at some of the most popular types of chlorine on the market.
- Trichlor: Pool chlorine tablets and sticks are Trichloro-S-Triazinetrione (Trichlor) is available in 84-90% concentrations. Placed in the floating chlorine feeders and chlorinators, Trichlor automatically and gradually dissolves into the pool water. The tablets are available in 1" or 3" sizes; the 1" tablets dissolve faster than the larger 3" tablets or the larger sticks. Trichlor is Stabilized chlorine, which means that the chlorine has Cyanuric acid added to help prevent the ultraviolet rays of sunlight from prematurely destroying the chlorine in water. One more note on Trichlor: although some pool owner have been advised to add Trichlor tablets directly into the skimmer basket, this is a bad idea. Since all chlorine is acidic and very corrosive, it can easily harm skimmer baskets, pool pumps, filters and eroded away metal pool heater components.
- Dichlor: Sodium Dichloro-S-Triazinetrione (Dichlor) is available in 56 to 62% concentrations. Dichlor is a granular form of Stabilized chlorine that is pH neutral and does not have to be pre-dissolved. Dichlor is a great option that provides convenience and precise control of the chlorine level in the pool. Dichlor has the advantage of not harming pool liners or pool and spa surfaces. However, Dichlor must be added to the pool water daily and tested more frequently for proper pool sanitation.
- Calcium Hypochlorite: Calcium Hypochlorite (Cal Hypo) is another form of non-stabilized chlorine and is avaliable in concentrations of 65% to 78%. Dissolve granular Cal-Hypo in water prior to use to prevent bleaching or harming of pool components. It is a great oxidizer and a good option for shock treatments. Like Dichlor, calcium hypochlorite also allows for precise control over chlorine levels. The major disadvantage of calcium hypochlorite is that pool water must be tested more frequently and additional chemical added daily for proper sanitation.
Chlorine Stabilizer Cautions
Dichlor and Trichlor have Isocyanuric acid (Cyanuric acid) incorporated because of its ability to help stabilize chlorine against damage from sunlight. However, a high Cyanuric acid (CYA) level, especially above 60 parts per million compromises the effectiveness and the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of chlorine. If you decide to use pool chlorine with chlorine stabilizer the CYA will build-up quickly. For every 10 parts per million (PPM) of Free Available Chlorine added using Trichlor, CYA increases by 6 PPM and Dichlor increases by 9 PPM. You will need to test and monitor the chlorine stabilizer CYA level diligently to ensure the level does not get too high. Many pool owners develop chlorine effectiveness issues because if this. To lower the CYA level you must replace existing pool water with fresh water.
The alternatives to swimming pool chlorine containing Cyanuric acid are sodium hypochlorite (liquid pool bleach) and granular calcium hypochlorite. These pool chemicals do not contain chlorine stabilizer and therefore do not have the disadvantage of CYA mentioned above, but they do increase the pH.
Swimming Pool Chlorine Tips
- The least expensive and most popular form of chlorine is 3" tablets. When properly used, 3" tablets may not need attention for a week or more. Test the pool water at least weekly.
- 1" chlorine tablets are well suited for use in automatic chlorinators, above ground pools, small in-ground pools, and spas.
- Granular chlorine is very effective, but it requires a higher level of chemical maintenance.
- Liquid pool bleach is good for pool shock and daily pool sanitizing without raising Cyanuric acid levels. The downside is possible chemical containers leaking during transport and the chemical potency diminishes significantly within a few months.
- You should keep pool chlorine test levels between one to three parts per million at all times. By maintaining that level, your pool will stay in top form throughout the swimming season.
About the Author
As a Certified Pool Operator (CPO), with over 22 years experience working in the field of pool and spa care, we have helped thousands of pool owners to resolve their water care issues and how to choose the right type of
pool chlorine
chemicals for their swimming pool. Visit us to learn more about swimming pool chemicals and how to use them properly. For more pool care help =>>
http://www.AmericasBestPoolSupply.com
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